Last May, the Los Angeles Dodgers found themselves at the center of an MLB investigation that spawned from a claim by Nick Francona he was unfairly terminated from his assistant director of player development position with the club in 2016.
Prior to reaching that point, Francona’s letter to MLB attested he was reassigned to the Dodgers’ research and development department at the same pay, per Yahoo! Sports. Francona, the son of Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona, is an Afghanistan war veteran.
The bulk of the complaint centered around his relationship with Gabe Kapler, the Dodgers’ former director of player development, which Francona claimed soured when he sought an assessment with the Home Base Program that aims to assist veterans with mental-health issues.
Kapler was recently named manager of the Philadelphia Phillies, which put a spotlight back on Francona’s charges. According to Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News, he and the Dodgers were cleared by MLB of any wrongdoing:
MLB cleared the Dodgers and Kapler. The team claimed his termination was the result of a personality clash. Francona, who was paid through his contract, reportedly declined two settlement offers and did not file suit.
At the time reports of the investigation first surfaced, the Dodgers issued a statement asserting Francona’s departure was not a result of discrimination. Francona is now the assistant director of player development with the New York Mets.
The Dodgers as an organization strive to honor military members throughout the season and by annually hosting batting practice for veterans and active duty service members at Dodger Stadium on Veterans Day.
The appreciation for military personnel has trickled down to the players, who greet the Military Hero of the Game after he or she is recognized on field.
For information on the Dodgers’ military programs and ticket promotions, visit here.
